Lexical Summary suneidésis: Conscience Original Word: συνείδησις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance conscience. From a prolonged form of suneido; co-perception, i.e. Moral consciousness -- conscience. see GREEK suneido HELPS Word-studies 4893 syneídēsis (from 4862 /sýn, "together with" and 1492 /eídō "to know, see") – properly, joint-knowing, i.e. conscience which joins moral and spiritual consciousness as part of being created in the divine image. Accordingly, all people have this God-given capacity to know right from wrong because each is a free moral agent (cf. Jn 1:4,7,9; Gen 1:26,27). ["Conscience (4893 /syneídēsis) is an innate discernment, self-judging consciousness" (A-S).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom suneidon Definition consciousness, spec. conscience NASB Translation conscience (24), conscience' (4), consciences (1), consciousness (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4893: συνείδησιςσυνείδησις, συνειδήσεως, ἡ (συνεῖδον), Latinconscientia (literally, 'joint-knowledge'; see σύν, II. 4), i. e. a. the consciousness of anything: with a genitive of the object, τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν, a soul conscious of sins, Hebrews 10:2 (τοῦ μύσους, Diodorus 4, 65; συνείδησις εὐγενής, consciousness of nobility; a soul mindful of its noble origin, Herodian, 7, 1, 8 (3 edition, Bekker)). b. "the soul as distinguishing between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending the one, condemning the other; conscience": with a genitive of the subjunctive, ἡ συνείδησις τίνος, Romans 2:15 (where the idea of ἡ συνείδησις is further explained by καί μεταξύ ... ἡ καί ἀπολογουμένων (cf. Winers Grammar, 580 (539); see ἀπολογέομαι, 2, and συμμαρτυρέω)); Romans 9:1; 1 Corinthians 8:7 (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 30, 1 a.), The Greek term συνείδησις (Strong’s 4893) denotes the internal faculty by which a person discerns moral right and wrong. It is the God-implanted awareness that both accuses and excuses (Romans 2:15), bearing witness to the law of God within. Conscience is not autonomous; it functions under God’s sovereignty and must be informed and purified by revealed truth. Origin and Role in Human Experience From Creation onward, humanity was endowed with conscience as part of the imago Dei, enabling even those without written revelation to sense accountability before their Creator (Romans 2:14-15). Thus Gentiles “show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness” (Romans 2:15). Conscience therefore provides a universal point of contact for gospel proclamation, exposing guilt yet also preparing the heart for grace. Conscience in Salvation History 1. Old-Covenant worship could not bring final relief: “The gifts and sacrifices being offered were unable to cleanse the conscience of the worshiper” (Hebrews 9:9). Conscience and the Work of the Spirit Regeneration re-orients conscience, yet its sensitivity grows as Scripture and the Spirit illumine truth (2 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Timothy 1:5). The Spirit not only convicts of sin but also assures the believer of integrity when walking in obedience (2 Corinthians 1:12). Categories of Conscience in the New Testament • Good / Clear: Paul testified, “I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and men” (Acts 24:16; cf. 1 Peter 3:16, 21). Conscience in Christian Liberty and Community Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8–10 develop the ethic of love-governed liberty. Knowledge must be tempered by regard for another’s conscience: “By sinning against your brothers in this way and wounding their weak conscience, you sin against Christ” (1 Corinthians 8:12). Conscience thus shapes communal holiness and unity. Conscience and Leadership Church overseers must “hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience” (1 Timothy 3:9). Spiritual authority flows from integrity, not mere position. Leaders vigilant over their own conscience can readily shepherd others (Hebrews 13:18). Conscience in Worship and Sacrament Baptism is “an appeal to God for a clear conscience” (1 Peter 3:21), publicly signifying inner cleansing. The Lord’s Supper invites self-examination, aligning conscience with the cross before partaking. Conscience in Evangelism and Apologetics Paul commended himself “to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2; 5:11). Gospel proclamation addresses the conscience, awakening awareness of sin and the need for justification. A life aligned with the message lends persuasive power. Historical Theology Early church fathers emphasized conscience as the “inner tribunal.” The Reformers underscored sola Scriptura as the supreme norm informing conscience—hence Martin Luther’s stand at Worms. Evangelical revivals likewise highlighted conviction of sin leading to conversion. Practical Ministry Implications 1. Preach the Word, trusting the Spirit to pierce conscience. Conscience, therefore, is both sentinel and servant—alerting to sin, driving to the Savior, guiding holy living, and safeguarding the church’s witness until the day every heart is laid bare before God. Englishman's Concordance Acts 23:1 N-DFSGRK: ἐγὼ πάσῃ συνειδήσει ἀγαθῇ πεπολίτευμαι NAS: good conscience before God KJV: good conscience before God INT: I in all conscience good have conducted myself Acts 24:16 N-AFS Romans 2:15 N-GFS Romans 9:1 N-GFS Romans 13:5 N-AFS 1 Corinthians 8:7 N-NFS 1 Corinthians 8:10 N-NFS 1 Corinthians 8:12 N-AFS 1 Corinthians 10:25 N-AFS 1 Corinthians 10:27 N-AFS 1 Corinthians 10:28 N-AFS 1 Corinthians 10:29 N-AFS 1 Corinthians 10:29 N-GFS 2 Corinthians 1:12 N-GFS 2 Corinthians 4:2 N-AFS 2 Corinthians 5:11 N-DFP 1 Timothy 1:5 N-GFS 1 Timothy 1:19 N-AFS 1 Timothy 3:9 N-DFS 1 Timothy 4:2 N-AFS 2 Timothy 1:3 N-DFS Titus 1:15 N-NFS Hebrews 9:9 N-AFS Hebrews 9:14 N-AFS Hebrews 10:2 N-AFS Strong's Greek 4893 |
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